Combination buckle and flexible member



Aprifi A. T. VAN ALSTYN 2,@3&324

COMBINATION BUCKLE AND FLEXIBLE MEMBER Filed May '31, 1935 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT, oFFIcE COMBINATION BUCKLE AND FLEXIBLE MEMBER 10 Claims.

This invention is a combination buckle and flexible member particularly adapted for use in connection with garment supporters, such as suspenders, garters and. the like, but not limited to such use.

' One of the objects of the invention is to provide a buckle of simple and inexpensive construction, which may be readily manipulated and adjusted, and which will not mar or injure the material with which it normally comes into contact. A further object is to provide a buckle so constructed and arranged that it will firmly grip a strap or similar element, and positively and efficiently hold it in any adjusted position. A further object is to provide a buckle of the character mentioned, equipped with a locking lever for frictionally engaging the strap or other fabric, and means associated therewith for applying a pulling tension to said lever in such a manner as to normally resist unlocking movement of the lever, and yet so constructed and arranged that I the lever may be readily moved to unlocked position by properly applied pressure. A further object is to provide a combination buckle and flexible member of neat appearance, in which the working parts of the buckle are normally hidden from view while the device is in use, and which will perform its adjustable locking functions without uncomfortable and unsightly bunching or folding of the strap or other fabric with which it is associated.

The invention will be, hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of a garment supporting strap, such as a suspender or garter, with the buckle attached thereto. Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, with the parts enlarged, showing the looking lever in locked position. Figure 4 is a similar view showing the lever in unlocked position. Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating one form of locking lever. Figure 6 is a similar View of a slightly modified form. Figure 7 is a perspective view of another modification.

Referring to the drawing, A designates the buckle and B the strap or elastic webbing of a garment supporter, belt or the like. The buckle, as shown, is constructed of two main parts, i. e. a slightly concavo-convex friction plate 59 and a lever II. The friction plate is formed of thin flat metal, preferably slightly concaved, and is provided at its ends with inturned longitudinal edges l9, and inwardly bent ears I2, having slightly countersunk portions which are perforated to receive pivot supports for a tensioning member consisting of the lever II and an an-- gular portion H3. The tensioning member is formed of thin flat metal, bent adjacent one end to provide the relatively short offset friction lug 13, pivots, such as integral lugs I4 being provided to engage the perforations in the ears I2, so that the other end of the lever is free to swing toward and away from the plate In. The

be projected toward the inner face of the friction plate in. It will also be noted that the free end of lever I! extends beyond the adjacent side edge of the plate It], and that the portions I l and I3 are disposed at an angle with respect to each other, and each is extended radially with respect to the axis of rotation provided by the pivots M.

The friction lug l3, if desired, may have its free edgeprovided with fabric-penetrating projections !5, as shown inFigures 3 and 5, or it may be provided with a straight friction edge l5 as shown in Figure 6. .The strap or webbing B is attached to the lever by any suitable means, such as by means of the turned over end l6, shown in Figures 3 and 5, or said lever may be anchored within the loop X of the webbing B, Figure '7', the adjacent free end of said webbing being stitched to the main portion of said strap as shown at b. If desired, the strap or webbing B may be united to the lever l l by means of stitches passed through holes w as indicated in Fig. 6.

In practice, the end portion a of the strap is attached to the free end of the lever ll, after which the strap is passed through the space between the free edge of the friction lug l3 and the back of the friction plate I0. Said strap is then folded around the lug l3 as indicated at a and then formed into a loop a arranged to pass through a garment supporting device, such for example, as the loop G, if used upon a garment supporter, or large enough to pass around a limb orthe waist as the case may be, of the wearer, if used as a garter or a belt. The return member a of the loop is then passed through the space between the back of the plate It] and the strap-covered portion of the friction lug 13. This insertion is readily accomplished while the parts are in the unlocked position illustrated in Figure 4, and a firm and effective frictional locking is obtained by moving the lever to the position illustrated in Figure 3. In other words, the parts are so constructed and'arranged that while in the positions illustrated in Figure 4, the normal strains incident to the use of the device, such as a longitudinal pull on the flexible member B, will automatically rotate the tension member in such manner as to move the free end of the lever l l to the position illustrated in Figure 3. This movement is arrested when the free end of said lever engages the return member :1 While in the position illustrated in Figure 3, the tension on the flexible member tends to hold the lever in locked position, with the return member a not only clamped between the free edge of the friction lug and the plate l0, but also between the turned over portion I6 and lower longitudinal flange Ill of said plate. The parts are so arranged that as long as there is a pulling tension applied to the loop, the lever is always held in locked position. The free end of the return member a may be connected to a suitable suspending device (not shown) if the device is used as a garment supporter, or may be left free if to be used as a garter or belt.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it belongs. For instance, it will be particularly noted that by means of the connection of the strap with the free end of the locking lever, and looping the strap around the pivoted lugcarrying end of the lever, the parts are so constructed and arranged that any longitudinal pulling tension applied to the loop 0, in the direction of the arrow has the effect of moving the lever I l in a direction which will always bring the friction lug I 3 into locked position with the lever approximately parallel with plate In. As the result of this tension, the return member a is firmly gripped at all times between the rear face of the friction plate l0 and the strap-covered edge of the lug l3. In other words, there is always a firm non-slip grip upon the strap which cannot become accidentally released. In this connection it will be noted that the angle of the lug l3 with respect to the body of the lever H, is such that the closer the free end of the lever ll approaches the plane of the plate If), the more firmly the lug will grip the belt. To unlock, it is only necessary to push the free end of the lever l l rearwardly a suflicient distance to disengage the lug l3 from the portion a of the strap, whereupon the strap may be readily adjusted in either direction. Another important advantage is that the gripping functions of the locking lever and the friction plate are materially improved by reason of the friction between the two layers of webbing which normally lie between said plate and said lever. This is particularly true because the pressure of the friction lug against the webbing reduces the thickness of the superposed webbings along the line of the engagement of said lug with the webbing, leaving shoulder-like enlargements on either side of the lug which will resist slippage. It will also be noted that a very simple and inexpensive form of buckle is provided, which will be positively and firmly held in any adjusted position, and so constructed and arranged that the working parts are normally concealed from View.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is:- r

1. A combination buckle and flexible member comprising a friction member, a locking lever pivotally supported by said friction member, said lever having an operating arm provided with a free end and also having an angularly disposed friction lug so positioned as to move adjacent to the friction member, the free end of said operating arm having a turned over portion, a flexible member having one end clamped beneath the turned over portion of said operating arm, said flexible member having a. portion extended from the free end of the operating arm between the friction member and the friction lug, and then looped around the outside of the lever, and a continued portion thereof passed between the back of the friction member and the previously mentioned portion of said flexible member lying between the friction lug and the friction member.

2. In a combination buckle and flexible member, the combination with a friction plate of curved section having angularly projected ears at its ends, and a lever pivotally mounted in said ears and having a friction bar at one end extended at an angle thereto from its pivotal axis, of a flexible member having its inner end anchored to the other end of the lever on the side of the latter, which faces the friction plate, the other end of said flexible member being normally free, said flexible member extending from the position of its connection with said lever over said friction bar and between the latter and the inner face of the friction plate, and again between the friction plate and the covered portion of the friction bar in such manner as to form a loop enclosing said lever, said friction plate, said lever and said loop being so relatively positioned, constructed and arranged that the device is automatically locked when the lever and the flexible member are pulled to flatten the loop.

3. In a combination buckle and flexible member, the combination With a friction plate of curved section having angularly projected ears at its ends, and a lever pivotally mounted in said ears and having a friction bar at one end extended at an angle thereto from its pivotal axis, the other end of said lever having a longitudinal pocket facing said friction bar, of a flexible mem ber having its inner end anchored in said pocket, its other end being normally free, said flexible member extending from said pocket over said friction bar and between the latter and the inner face of the friction plate, and again between the friction plate and the covered portion of the friction bar in such manner as to form a loop enclosing said lever, said friction plate, said lever and said loop being so relatively positioned, constructed and arranged that the device is automatically locked when the lever and the flexible member are pulled to flatten the loop.

4. In a combination buckle and flexible member, the combination of a buckle consisting of an elongated frame having inwardly projected ears at its ends and a lever pivotally mounted in said ears and having a friction bar extended at right angles thereto from its pivotal axis, the other end of said lever having a longitudinal pocket facing the friction bar, and a flexible member having its inner end anchored in said pocket, the other end of said flexible member being normally free, said flexible member extending from said pocket over said friction bar and between the latter and the inner face of the elongated frame, and again between said elongated frame and the covered portion of the friction bar in such manner as to form an open loop around the lever, said frame, said lever and said loop being so rela tively positioned, constructed and arranged that ill the buckle is automatically-locked when said flexthence around the entire lever in the form of a ible'mem'ber is pulled to flatten said loop" by the "normal strain to whichthe flexible member is subjected while in use.

5. In a combination buckle and flexible member, the combination with a buckle consisting of an elongated frame having inwardly projected ears at its ends, and a lever pivotally mounted in said ears and having a friction :bar extended at' an angle thereto from the axis of its pivotal support, the free edge of said friction bar having a row of teeth spaced in parallel relation from the inner face of said frame, said lever also having an arm disposed at an angle to said friction bar and having a free end, of a flexible member having its inner end anchored to the free end of the arm on the side thereof which faces said elongated frame, the other end of the flexible member being free, said flexible member extending from the position of its connection with said lever over said friction bar and between the latter and the inner face of the elongated frame, and again between the said frame and the covered portion of the friction bar in such manner as to form a loop enclosing said lever, said elongated frame, said lever and said loop being so relatively positioned, constructed and arranged that the device is automatically locked when the lever and the flexible member are pulled to flatten the loop.

6. In a combination buckle and flexible member, the combination with a flexible member and a garment supporting device, of a buckle comprising an elongated plate of curved cross section having inturned longitudinal edges and inwardly projected ears at its ends, and a lever pivoted to said ears and having an angularly disposed toothed jaw at its inner end and an inturned flange at its outer end, said flange providing a pocket facing said jaw, said lever being of such length that said flange will clear the lower inturned edge of said plate as the lever moves on its pivotal support, said flexible member having one end anchored in said pocket and extending therefrom over the toothed jaw back of said plate, and then looped around the lever and the garment supporting member and having a slip connection with the latter, and finally between said plate and the previously covered portion of said jaw in such manner as to provide a loop between the buckle and the garment supporting member, said lever and said loop being so relatively positioned, constructed and arranged that when the garment supporting member and the flexible member are subjected to tension the lever will swing to close the jaw relative to said plate and also to swing the lever in such manner as to clutch the flexible member between said flange and the lower inturned edge of said plate.

'7. A combination buckle and flexible member comprising a friction member having rearwardly extended ears, a locking lever provided with an operating arm having a free end and also having a friction lug disposed at an angle thereto,

' said lever being pivotally supported between said rearwardly extended ears on an axis coinciding with the intersection of the operating arm and the lug, in such manner that the lug has a free edge movable adjacent to the back of the friction member, in combination with a flexible member having one end connected with the free end of the operating arm, said flexible member having a portion extended from its position of connection with the operating arm through the space between the lug and the friction member, and

loop, the said loop terminating in a portion extended through "the :space between the friction member and that/portion of the flexible member "previously passed through the space between the friction member and the lug, the flexible memher and the lever being thereby so connected, constructed and arranged that a pulling tension applied tosaid'flexible member tends to move the free end of the lever in a direction to cause said lug to grip those portions of the flexible member which lie between the lug and said friction member.

8. In combination, a buckle comprising a friction plate, a tensioning member rotatively supported in a position adjacent to one surface of said plate, and having a portion extended radially with respect to its axis of rotation, said radially extended portion having a free extremity provided with a clamping edge, said tensioning member also having another portion extended radially with respect tosaid axis of rotation but at an angle with respect to the first-mentioned radially extended portion, a flexible member passed between said friction plate and said tensioning member and having one end anchored to the free end of the second-mentioned radially extended portion, the other end of said flexible member being passed around the tensioning member and thereafter passed between said friction plate and the first-inserted portion of the flexible member, in such manner as to form a loop adapted to have slidable engagement with an attaching means, said second portion of the tensioning member being of a length to limit rotative movement of the tensioning member in one direction while the flexible member is positioned as above stated, the friction plate, the tensioning member and the flexible member being so constructed and arranged that upon application of the normal strain incident to their use the tensioning member will be automatically rotated into locking position.

9. In combination, a buckle comprising a concaved friction plate having angularly disposed ears extended therefrom, a tensioning member rotatively mounted in said ears in a position adjacent to one face of said friction plate, and having a portion extended radially with respect to its axis of rotation, said radially extended portion having a free straight edge at its extremity arranged parallel with said friction plate, said radially extended portion having integral penetrating devices projecting therefrom in the plane thereof, said tensioning member also having another portion extended radially with respect to its axis of rotation but at an angle with respect to the first-mentioned radially extended portion, and having a free extremity provided with a pocket, a flexible member having a portion passed between said friction plate and said tensioning member and one end anchored in said pocket, the other end of said flexible member being passed around the tensioning member and then passed between said friction plate and the first-inserted portion of the flexible member in such manner as toform a loop adapted to have slidable engagement with an attaching means, the friction plate, the tensioning member and the flexible member being so constructed and arranged that upon ap plication of the normal strain incident to their use the tensioning member will be automatically rotated into locking position, said second portion of the tensioning member being of a length to engage a portion of said loop in such manner as to' limit said last-mentioned ro-tative movement of said tensioning member.

10. A combination buckle and flexible member comprising a friction plate, a locking lever located back of said friction plate and pivotally connected thereto, said lever having a relatively short angularly disposed friction lug normally projected toward said friction plate and also having an operating arm provided with a free "10 end, in combination with a flexible member having one end connected with the free end of the operating am, said flexible member being extended from its position of connection with said operating arm and passed between the friction lug and the friction plate, and then looped around the outside of the locking lever, and thereafter interposed between the back of the friction plate and the first-mentioned portion of said flexible member.

ALBERT T. VAN AIS'I'YN. 

